Milton Resident Brings Worldwide Talent to Boston Stages

After spending the last 40 years serving as the director of two different theatre programs, one Milton resident has moved into a new position with a new goal. Rob Orchard, executive director of arts at Emerson College, is bringing national and international productions to the area for the first time.

With the inaugural season of ArtsEmerson: The World on Stage, Orchard scheduled over 100 performances of 17 different productions at Emerson's newest facilities.

"We're saying you don't have to go to the airport to see this work," said Orchard.

ArtsEmerson is housing the ambitious season at the 590-seat Paramount Theatre, the 150-seat Black Box Theatre and the 170-seat Bright Family Screening Room, located in the Paramount Center. The Cutler Majestic Theatre, which seats 1,186 is also included in the programming.

Orchard came to Emerson after 30 years at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge. Orchard served as managing director and eventually executive director of the Harvard-affiliated theatre. At A.R.T., Orchard produced new work and helped bring original productions to 16 countries and half of the states in the U.S.

Prior to working in Cambridge, Orchard worked for 10 years at Yale in a similar capacity.

In his new position, Orchard is charged with finding productions across the country and world to bring to Boston. The task may seem daunting to some, but Orchard has developed a true sense of what local audiences find appealing over the last three decades.

"The programmatic ambition for these facilities is to bring new work that has never been seen in Boston," said Orchard.

Orchard said about one third of his time will be spent traveling and viewing different work.

In his first season at Emerson, Orchard included a lineup that is heavy on reputation and innovation. Well-known groups like The Abbey Theatre, The New York Theatre Workshop, Peter Brook, Tectonic Theater Project and F. Murray Abraham, among others will be part of the season, which premiers in September. Groups that are redefining theatre, such as Elevator Repair Service, 7 Fingers, Rude Mechs and Basil Twist will also take the stage.

With the Paramount Center, ArtsEmerson has the opportunity to develop longstanding relationships with various theater companies. Aside from various performance stages, the facility has a full scene shop, rehearsal studios and a soundstage. Resident companies can also stay in recently finished apartments that overlook Boston Common, allowing the artists to become fully immersed in the culture at Emerson.

As the groups develop their work in Boston, local audiences are given a change to familiarize themselves with styles that may not have been in the area before.

"It gives the public an opportunity to get a glimpse of a production before it's presented," Orchard said.

Students and faculty also benefit from the development as they have opportunities to work with artists from all over the world.

Orchard has spent his entire career in educational and developmental theatre programs. He said the creative environment is never boring and keeps his mind and imagination stimulated.

"I just love being around artists," Orchard said.

Aside from just being with artists, the university atmosphere is constantly influenced by new people because of graduation.  Orchard said the work at such theatres is informed by a changing generational influence.

The 30-year Milton resident said he is very proud of the chance to bring new artists to the theatre community he has been involved with his whole career.

"We're filling a major void in cultural opportunity," said Orchard.

The full ArtsEmerson: The World on Stage schedule can be found at www.artsemerson.org.